Incubator



Dec. 3,' 1929.

L. HAwKlNs 1,738,368

I NCUBATOR F'ilecl Sept. 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l 11 a5' INVEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

. 3, 1929. l L. HAwKlNs INCUBTOR Filed Sept. 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 3, 1929 Ullllllll'll .ares

LUT'Y HAWKINS, 0F MOUNT VERNQN, ILLINOIS INCUBATOR Application lledSeptember 14, 1927.

This invention relates to an incubator, and has for its object toprovide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device ofthe classreferred to with means contacting eggs for applying heat directlythereto, in a manner as when a hen is setting, thereby expediting thehatching and performing the incubating operation in accordance with thenatural law.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an incubator having a vertically adjustable trayfor supporting the eggs arranged below the heat applying element, andwhereby the adinstable tray relative to the heat :applying element willprevent the latter exerting too much pressure on the eggs.

A further object of the invention is to provide, ina manner ashereinafter set forth, an incubator and broeder with an egg contactingelement.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an incubator and brooder which can be easily andquickly renovated, sterilized and cleaned when desired.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an incubator which is coniparatively simple inits construction and ar angement, strong, durafr ble, compact,thoroughly ellicient in its use,

expeditious in its action, readily assembled, and comparativelyinexpensive to manufacture.

l/Vith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanyingl drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan. be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

F igure 1 is a rear elevation of an incubator and brooder in accordancewith this invention. 1

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Serial No. 219,531.

Figure 3 is an end elevation thereof.

Figure el is a top plan view with the cover removed illustrating thecontact element and egg holding tray.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the incubator withthe coverremoved.

`Fignre 6 is a cross sectional view of the incubator.

Figure 7 is a plan, upon a reduced scale, of the radiating member of theContact element.

Figure 8 is a plan view, upon a reduced scale, of a combined ventilatorand closure.

Figure 9 is a detail illustrating one of the adjustable supports for theegg tray. i

`An incubator in accordance with this i`nvention, includes a housing ofappropriate height and preferably of rectangular contour and whichincludes a front wall 9, a rear wall 10, and a pair of end walls 11, 12.Connected to and projecting rearwardly from the rear wall 10, centrallythereof, is a wall forming member, of U-shape in plan, and which inconnection with the wall 10, provides a chamber 13 for a .heating device11i for a hot water-heater 15. The wall forming member, referred togenerally at 16, provides a pair of side walls 17, 18 `and a rear wall19. The front wall of the chamber 18 is provided `by the wall and thelatter centrally `tl'iereof is formed with an extension 2O ofappropriate height. The rear wall 19 of the chamber 13 has a door 21 sothat access can be had to the chamber 13. Mounted upon the extension andthe walls 17, 18 and 19 is a roof member 22 which inclincs downwardlyfrom the extension 20 to the rear wall 19 of the chamber 13. The roofstructure or member 22 includes side pieces 23 of triangular contour andthese seat on the topiedges of the walls 17, 18. The sides of thechamber 13, are provided with lower ventilators 2e and upper ventilatorsThe wall 10, below the extension 2O is provided with a rectangular slot26 for the pL ssage of a water circulating pipe, referredto generally at27 and which will be hereinafter more fully referred to.

The front wall9 of the housing, as well as the rear `wall 19. isprovided at the lower end thereof with a plurality of spaced air inletvided with a ventilator 38.

openings 28. Each of said walls is furthermore formed, a substantialdistance above the opening 28 with a series of spaced, verticallydisposed slots 29 and with the slots in one wall aligning with the slotsin the other wall. The slots 29 are of appropriate length. The wall 9 isformed with a!V series of spaced, vertically disposed rectangularopenings 39 forming door openings each of which is closed by a pair ofoppositely movable vertically slidable normally abutting doors 31, 32and with each pair of doors slidably mounted in a pair of spaced guides33. The sliding doors 31 and 32 are closed during incubation. After thehatch the top door is raised and a brooding platform, not shown, is putin place even with the top of the egg tray, to be presently referred to,and touching it through the doors.

Then the lower doors must be lowered accordingly. The edge oftheplatform that is attached to the egg tray is lowered with it. The upperdoors'are lowered at night. It is not necessary to remove the platformas the lower doors are against the bottom of it and the top doors willslide down against the top of it. The end wall 11 is formed with alengthwise extending rectangular door opening 34 and a door 34, hingedas at 35 and said door 34 is maintained in position to close theVopening 34 by a latch 36. The purpose of the door opening 34 will bepresent-ly referred to.v A roof element'37 formed of two oppositelyextending, downwardly inclined portionsand a pair of-triangular endportions is provided for the housing and each of theend portionsof saidroof element is pro- One of the downwardly inclined portions of the roofelement is of materially greater width than the other portion andprojects outwardly from the end portions of the roof elementandoverhangs, as well as projects outwardly from the end vportions ofthereof element and overhangs, well as projects from the front wall 9 ofthe main housing.

' A supporting tray for the eggs or chicks, Vis indicated generally at89, and it is formed of a rectangular frame 40, and each side end memberofthe frame is of angle shape in cross section to provide the frame witha vertical leg 41 and a horizontally disposed leg 42,

which extends inwardly at right angles fromV the upper end of the leg41. Secured against the lower face of the leg 42 and coextensivetherewith, is a faraminous member, panel or support V43 of a lengt-h toabut against the I' inner face of the leg 41. The leg 42 forms a ridgeor bead entirely surrounding the marginal portion of the upper face ofthe foraininous member or panel 43.

Connected to the sides of the frame 42 are transversely extendingv bracemembers 44 therefor, andV which also provide spaced supports for theformanio'us sheet or panel 43.

The length of the tray 39 is about inches less than the length of thehousing to permit of the shifting of the tray when desired. The frame 40is mounted on rollers 45, carried by vertically adjustable bolts 4G,which extend through the slots 29. The inner ends of the bolts formbearings for the rollers 45, and the outer ends thereof carry wing nuts47, which bint against the outer faces of the walls 9, and 10 and clampthe bolts 4G in adjusted position. Mounted on the bolts 4G, inwardly ofthe walls 9, 10 are closure strips or plates 47 for the slots 29. Thestrips 4T bear against the inner faces of the walls 9, 10 are of greaterlength than the slots 29 and prevent free passage of air through theslots. rPhe bolts 4G extend through the strips 4T .intermediate the endsof these. latter. The strips are carried with the bolts. The bolts orbearings 46 are vertically :nljustable whereby the tray 39 can beadjustably posi tioned, vertically, within the incubating chamber 48provided by the housing. Arranged upon the tray 39, and supported by theledge 42, is a. removable egg shifting device 49 of skeleton form andwhich extends from one end to the other end of the housing. ln Figurethe eggs are shown in dotted lines and indicated at oO and they aremounted, on the foraniinous sheet or panel 43 and engaged by theshifting device 49 and turned the desired extent, as the device 49 isnot bodily carried with the tray when the latter is shift-ed on therollers 45. The shifting device 49 for the eggs is removed after thechicks are hatched, and a suitable means, not shown, is placed on end ofegg tray to prevent chicks from tumbling off.

Secured to the inner faces of the front, rear and end walls of thehousing, directly above the openings 48, is a supporting frame 51 forthe removable bottom 52 of the chamber 4S. The bottom 52 is formed ofinsulation inaterial and provided at its transverse median with a seriesof spaced slots 53 for free passage of air into the chamber 4S. rl`hebottom 52 is removable through the door opening- 84. The bottom member52 is arranged ay substantial distance below the rollers 45, and isremoved when chicks are about two d: is old and sraw may be placed belowthe tray on the ground for sanitary purposes.

Secured to the inner faces of the front and rear walls 9, 10, of thehousing, are supporting brackets 54 for the contact element referred togenerally by the reference character 55, and the latter is ofrectangular contour, but of less length than the length ofthe housing,as well as being of less length than the length of the supporting tray39. rl`he contact element 55 comprises a pair of end walls 56, 57 and apair of side walls 5S, 59, and a top GO. The side and end walls and top60 are suitably secured together and preferably are constructed of wood,but can be set up dll maar-ics or any suitable material. The contactelement also includes a resilient bottom 6l formed ot imperviousmaterial, preferably oi" sheet rubber, and which constitutes acontactmcmber and is secured against the bottoni edges oit the side andend Walls oll said element rlho side and end Walls ol the element areprovided with linings (32 of insulation material. Extending across thetop (i, as Well as being pivotally secured there- -with, is a bracepiece (32. Arranged Within the chamber 'termed by the side and end Talleand tcp and bottom members of the element is a heat radiating member @Ll'termed et metallic material and which is spaced substantial distanceabove the resilent contact member f lhe heat radiating member tillisprovided with periiorations 65. lhe slot 2li in the rear Wall l() ol"the housing imposes the side. Wall 58 ot the element 'lhe Watercirculating pine Q7, which is of appropriate diameter, l'or conductingthe Water 'from the 'Water heater l5 into and around the chamber o3 andthence to the heater l5 includes a pair oi opposed parts GG, G7 whichentend in a transverse direction with respect to the housing and passthrough the slot 26 and also through the side wall 58 oit the member Thepart (38 terminates in i right angularly disposed outwardly extendingpart G8 and the latter terminates in a part Gl), disposed at rightangles with respect to the part 68 and ertendiuu')- towards the sideAWall 58 oi the element 55. lhe part 89 termiratcs in one end ot a part70 disposed longitudinally with respect to the element 55 and whichterminates in a rearwardly extending angularly disposed part- 71,merging into a part 72 which entends inwardly trom the part ll and isdisposed at right angles with respect thereto and said part 79. mergesinto the part G7. ominunicating With parts 6G, 67, in proximity to theWall 58, but inwardly With respect thereto, is a rectangular branch 73.The parts (i8, (59, 70, 7l and 72 provide the pipe 27 with a rectangularportion disposed centrally oit the chamber' G3 and Which is surroundedby the rectangular branch 73, and the latter is arranged in proximity tothe side and end Walls oi the element 55. rlhe radiating member ed issecured to the bottom ot the parts GG to 72 inclusive and also securedto the bottom ot the rectangular branch 78. rl`he openings lformed inthe heat radiating member (Si are not closed by the circulating pipe andthe branch 78 and provides means for circulation oli air from below orabove the member (il and troni above to below said member. rlheradiating member 8lhas cutn out portion 7a which is arranged between theparts 6G, 67 oi the circulating pipe or line Q7' and arranged in thespace termed by said cutout portion is a thermostatic element 75, 'toroperating a damper 7G. rlhe element 75 is connected to the damper 76 andis mounted in a supporting arm 77. The Water heater or boiler is termedwith an opening 78 WhichY gradually decreases in diameter `from thebottom to the top of said element and the .heating element lll extendsinto the lower end oit said element. The damper 78 controls thedischarge cil heat through the passage 7 8. The dan'uier 78 operatesupon the upper end of the boiler or heater 15 'lhe contact member 6l. ofthe element 55, is to be in direct contact with the a0 and in thisconnection see Figures 5 and G. The contact member 6l is heated tronithe element i'flby radiation, and the element (Sd is heated by thecirculation olf hot Water through the pipe or line 27 and branch 78.Although the member (Srl is illustrated as being heated trom thecirculation oi' hot 'water through the pipe or line 27 and branch 75, itis to be understood that any suitable means can be employed tor heatingsaid member 6d. The thermostatic clementeritends through the side Wall58 et the element 55. the cireulatin g pipe 27', as Well as thethermostatic element 75, also entend through the insr. alien lining 'torthe Wall 58.

ne space between the ends of the element and the end Walls llt, l2, ofthe housing lased by plates 79 ot insulation material "rovided withopenings 8O at each end for .n.itilating purposes. rlhe plates 79 aresuitably connected to the end Walls ll, 12 and the ends et the contactelement 7 5.

Jtilthough the 'Water circulating pipe 27 is provided Ivith arectangular portion, yet it is to be understood that it can be torn'lodin any suit-ble manner and further that the branch 7 8 can be ot anysuitable contour; rllhe branch 78 :is so set up as to receive the hotWater from the part 86 and the Water will pass through `the branch 78 tothe part 67 and 'from there it will be conducted to the water heater orboiler l5.

rlhe heating ol' the air Within the chamber 58, from the pipe 27 andbranch 78, as ivell as the plate Get, also assists in the heating ot theflexible Contact member Gl. The heating chamber is provided with athermometer 8l which extends Ytrom one of the end Walls of the elementand is arranged below the closure 79, see Figure 5. The plates 79 aremounted in a manner whereby they can be removed when occasion requires.

Although the pipe 27 is employed for conducting hot Water, it is obviousthat hot air could be used instead of Water.

'lhe and chick remain on the tray 89 and are conlined therein by theshitting dcvice 59, as the latter is et skeleton form, and consists otspaced longitudinal 'transverse bars connected together and in thisparticular sec Figure 5.

The member Gli distributes the heat evenly with respect to the flexiblecontact member 6l and an etlicient heating ol the eggs carried A ,pdi,...

rllhe parts 66 and G7 et 4 l Y Y by the tray is had, and owing to thedirect Contact ofthe member 61 With the eggs the heat is applieddirectly thereto and in a manner as' When a hen is setting, therebyexpediting the hatching and conforming incubation operation inaccordance With the natural law.

It is thought the many advantages of an incubator, in accordance withthis invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferredembodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it isto be understood that changes in the details of construction can behadrWhich Will fall Within thescope' of the invention as claimed.

IVhat I claim is:

' l. An incubator comprising ahousing, a roof therefor, a sloted plateof insulation supported Within the housing above the bottom thereof,said housing below said plate provided With openings, a Contact elementsuspended Within the'housing, an egg supporting tray shiftably supportedWithin the housing bel v tween said element and plate, closure platesAso interposed between said element and housing and having Ventilatingopenings, and said roof having Ventilating means.

2'. In an incubator, an egg tray comprising a frame member formed with avertical leg for seating on a set of rollers and further formed with ahorizontal leg extending in- Wardly from the upper end of the verticalleg for supporting an egg shifting element, and a foraminous membersecured to the lower face of said horizontal leg toprovide a support foreggs in spaced relation to` the shifting element, said horizontal legproviding a continuous, elevated border on the upper face of saidforaminous member.

'3. In an incubator, a housing formed in opposite sides thereof Withvertical slots, a horizontally disposed vshaft extending through eachslot into the housing and slidable therein in a vertical direction,horizontally disposed rollers carried by the inner ends of said shaftsfor adjustably supporting an egg tray Within the housing, and lockingmembers on theouter ends ofsaid shafts for coaction With the outer faceof said housing to maintain the shafts against vertical movement.

In testimony whereof@ alflx my signature hereto. v

LUTY HAWKINS.

